Resources, Advice and Stories from Bone Anchored Hearing System Users

Since receiving my Ponto 3 SuperPower, walking through life is far more different than I ever could have imagined. It’s often overwhelming to think about all of the different sounds that I can now interpret with ease because of my device.

Below are four of the most noticeable differences in sound that I’ve observed through wearing my Ponto 3 SuperPower.

My own voice:

It may seem silly, but anyone who has worn a Ponto Bone Anchored Hearing System will tell you that the moment they snapped it on, the way they heard their own voices was drastically different. For some, it’s not always the most pleasant surprise. I’ve never been a huge fan of how I sound in recordings that are played back to me, and this sort of sound is how I would describe my voice when listening to it with my Ponto on. Though it may seem jarring at first, it’s really amazing to understand finally how the rest of the world hears you when you speak!

Parts of songs that went unnoticed:

I am a member of a chapel choir at my college, and I tend to sit towards the back of the group with the rest of the men. I’ve always known that our group contained several instrumentalists, but I was never able to fully hear them until now! I have also noticed that I am able to pick apart different aspects of music that I was not able to before. I don’t believe that this is because of an increase in volume, but rather because of an increase in clarity.

Voices in a conference setting:

At school, more often than not, I find myself communicating with me peers in a group setting – a cafeteria, a bustling classroom, a loud dormitory. Before my Ponto, I always had difficulty differentiating voices that were happening all at once. My Ponto helps me not only to separate those voices, but also makes them clearer and more easily understood.

Sounds in nature:

The first time I went on a hike with my Ponto, I was in tears. Turns out, nature is noisy! I have always loved the great outdoors, but the vibrant and amazing sounds were lost to me. With nature, and with everything else, I’ve come to realize that there is so much happening around me that I didn’t know about before I snapped on my Ponto 3 Superpower.

Interested in learning more about our newest Ponto – the Ponto 3 SuperPower? Click the button below to be connected to a representative from our team.

About the author – Kevin Hotaling

After attending Oticon Medical’s patient advocacy event in 2016, I knew I wanted to take action on my advocacy in a new way. I am in awe of the work that Oticon Medical does, and even more so excited by the ways in which the work is done. I’ve always been very adept in social networking and media and knew I wanted to use my skill set in a professional, progressive and communal environment.

Since the Ponto 3 SuperPower came out in January, I’ve been itching to get my own. After seeing so many faces of children and adults alike light up after popping their SuperPowers on for the first time, I knew I had to have mine. Recently, that day came for my own ‘snap day’ with my new Ponto 3 SuperPower!

When I got my first Ponto Plus in the summer of my sophomore year of college, the very first sounds that I heard were those of a doctor’s office in Boston. Though that experience was wonderful, I wanted to go the extra mile when I snapped on my Ponto 3 SuperPower for the first time.

A big part of my life in college is singing for the Stonehill College Chapel Choir. Its members are some of the most important people in my life, and I wanted very much to share this experience with them. I have been with them since my freshman year, and now that I am graduating, we are having a lot of ‘lasts’ together. I figured it was about time for another ‘first!” So, the first thing I wanted to hear with my new Ponto was their beautiful voices singing one of our favorite songs; and we got it on camera! Take a look:

To have felt such overwhelming excitement and joy from being able to hear so clearly was remarkable. Every day, I’m astounded by the number of lives that this device has the power to change for the better. I couldn’t be more thankful to the creators of this device; the people who gave my hearing back to me!

Want to learn more about the Ponto family of processors? Click the button below to be connected to a representative from our team.

About the author – Kevin Hotaling

After attending Oticon Medical’s patient advocacy event in 2016, I knew I wanted to take action on my advocacy in a new way. I am in awe of the work that Oticon Medical does, and even more so excited by the ways in which the work is done. I’ve always been very adept in social networking and media and knew I wanted to use my skill set in a professional, progressive and communal environment.

I’ve been doing some traveling recently and was reminded of some of the unique considerations I have as a Ponto user. All the elements of travel, from packing to making it through security, can be stressful for anyone if they’re not prepared. So on my latest trip, I made a mental note of all the things I do—or should do—to make traveling with my Ponto easy and stress-free.

Here are a few tips based on my recent travels:

1. Pack smart

First, packing everything you’ll need in the right places is essential. For example, I usually take two packs of batteries; one in my carry-on and the other in my checked luggage. That keeps me covered in case my bags are lost or I need fresh batteries in-flight.

Also, don’t forget to pack any accessories or attachments you may need. Things like Streamers, dehumidifiers, charging units, and protective cases can be easy to overlook when packing, but you’ll be glad you have them when you’re on the road!

2. Going through security

Going through airport security as a Ponto user isn’t much different than it is for anyone else. My Ponto has never set off any alarms or caused any problems, however, I have been asked about it on several occasions.

Typically, security personnel just want to know about the device and how it functions. It’s also important to point out that it doesn’t utilize a cellular signal, which I’ve been asked about before. It’s also possible that an agent will ask you to remove your processor and send it through the x-ray along with your carry-on items. This won’t harm your processor, so no need to worry if you’re asked to do this.

3. In-flight experience

Wearing your Ponto on the plane is a personal preference, but there are a few things to think about before you stow away your bags. If you like to sleep during flights, for example, you may want to take off your processor as it may not be as comfortable.

If, on the other hand, you like to watch movies or listen to music, be sure to have extra batteries and accessories readily available. When I’m not sleeping, I like using my Streamer, which utilizes Bluetooth, to listen to music or watch movies.

When it comes to sound quality, I’ve never experienced any changes in performance with my Ponto. In fact, I’ve found that because my bone-anchored hearing system doesn’t fall victim to the familiar popping and pressure during take-off and landing, I’m still able to hear rather normally. An added bonus!

4. Check the weather

A sunny forecast doesn’t just mean packing extra sunblock. Climate is an important factor in caring for your device while you’re away from home. Warm, humid climates won’t harm your Ponto, however, as with any electronic device, it’s best to avoid excessive moisture and don’t forget to take off your processor before jumping in the pool!

Have you had any experience traveling with your Ponto? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter or Instagram.

Want to learn more about the Ponto family of processors? Click the button below to be connected to a representative from our team.

About the author

After attending Oticon Medical’s patient advocacy event in 2016, I knew I wanted to take action on my advocacy in a new way. I am in awe of the work that Oticon Medical does, and even more so excited by the ways in which the work is done. I’ve always been very adept in social networking and media and knew I wanted to use my skill set in a professional, progressive and communal environment.

Since the time I obtained my Ponto Plus and have posted about it on my social media platforms, I’ve received quite a few questions from new Ponto users about living with a Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS). One question that pops up often is how to get a haircut when you have a BAHS.

In my life before my Ponto I never really gave a second thought to visiting a barber shop or salon. But once I had an abutment protruding from the side of my head, I naturally became a little more hesitant when someone was holding a pair of scissors near it.

Here are a few tips I’d like to share based on my experiences and those of fellow BAHS users:

I get a size 1 clipper on the area around my abutment, and it’s never been an issue.

1. Remove your processor – The most important thing to remember is to remove your BAHS before hopping in the barber chair. This immediately helps avoid any potential damage from scissors or clippers.

2. Talk to your barber or stylist – If I’m not familiar with a barber, I always make sure I mention my abutment and explain what it is so they understand what they’re working with. Here’s what I tell them:

The piece is not at all fragile, as it is a part of my head

Don’t use clippers under the attachment

Don’t attempt to shave or brush over the abutment with clippers, trimmers, or brushes and combs

3. If you dye your hair – Sandi, who dyes her hair advises paying extra attention to cleaning the area around the abutment as any residual dye can cause an infection.

4. If you have long hair – Those with longer hair, like Aly, typically just need to make sure that their stylist is aware of the abutment, and to instruct them not to brush over the site.

5. Heal up first – If your abutment is new, you’ll want to hold off on getting your haircut until the site is fully healed to avoid complications. Better safe than sorry!

And that’s all it takes! A little awareness goes a long way and the results are great!

What’s your experience been like at the salon? Share your story with me now on Twitter or Instagram!

Want to know more? Click the link below to learn more about the Ponto family of processors!

About the author

After attending Oticon Medical’s patient advocacy event in 2016, I knew I wanted to take action on my advocacy in a new way. I am in awe of the work that Oticon Medical does, and even more so excited by the ways in which the work is done. I’ve always been very adept in social networking and media and knew I wanted to use my skill set in a professional, progressive and communal environment.